[PlayStation 5] Review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II

NIS America and Nihon Falcom have once again captivated fans with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II, the latest entry in the cherished The Legend of Heroes/Kiseki saga. Continuing from where Trails through Daybreak left off, the game follows Van Arkride, who finds himself plunged into the complexities of the Calvard region’s new murder mystery. Dive into our analysis of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II for the full scoop!

Return to the enigmatic Calvard Republic in Trails through Daybreak II and unravel the mystery surrounding the crimson beast. A shocking series of murders kickstart the story, stirring turmoil. Caught in the whirlwind of events, spriggan Van Arkride is visited unexpectedly. Who’s behind these murders, and what’s their ultimate goal?

In this direct sequel to Trails through Daybreak, and the twelfth mainline installment since the pioneering Trails in the Sky, players are once again thrust into the rich narrative tapestry of the Kiseki series. From the initial escapades in Liberl, the riveting saga in Erebonia’s Trails of Cold Steel, to the tales spun in Crossbell, we’re now firmly rooted in the adventures of Van Arkride as he embarks on another chapter in Calvard.

Every sub-series like Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, and Trails through Daybreak boasts an interconnected world with standalone narratives that often interlace events from other titles.

For those new to the “Daybreak” saga, I highly advise playing the original Trails through Daybreak first. While a neat recap video kicks off the sequel, the depth of its storytelling and character arcs can’t be distilled into a mere few minutes. Your journey spanning more than 50 hours will be enriched by your past decisions carrying forward, thanks to the game’s feature that lets you transfer your saved data for added perks.

Van Arkride resumes his role as a spriggan—a sort of private investigator for cases that fall through conventional cracks due to their legal gray areas. Like its predecessor, this sequel sees Van delving into society’s underbelly. Among his talents is an incredible sense of smell, helping him hunt down clues and sniff out trouble, proving indispensable in Calvard’s ever-turbulent landscape.

The game opens with a tense scene: Elaine, a character from the previous game, confronts Van with disturbing news—he’s now the prime suspect in a recent grave incident. Without divulging too much, the game explores its narrative non-linearly, a twist I found particularly engaging. True to the Trails series, the story is rich with plot twists, character depth, and complexity.

Returning fans will find familiarity in the combat mechanics, which largely mirror the first game. Battles here start with real-time, combo-based actions typical of an action RPG for simpler encounters but seamlessly shift to a turn-based system using the Square button for strategic depth, drawing from the series’ roots. The transition ensures a blend of fluid action and tactical engagements, including using powerful S-Crafts and transforming into Van’s mech form for crucial battles.

Yet again, players will utilize Orbments to enhance abilities through Quartz. The complex menu systems remain, occasionally cumbersome. I did hit a persistent snag: casting a healing spell, Tear, sometimes froze the game, requiring a restart—a fix hopefully coming in a patch. Luckily, the robust auto-save helped me avoid losing progress. Plus, saving anytime continues to be a welcomed feature, useful for the lengthy dungeons.

Graphically, Trails through Daybreak II builds on previous entries with subtle upgrades, though character models still echo the PlayStation 4 era. Improved clothing details and facial expressions are noticeable, while animations lag behind contemporary JRPG standards. Voice acting shines, especially for main characters, and, in keeping with tradition, players can toggle between English and Japanese voiceovers. As predicted from Nihon Falcom, the background music is a treat.

Earning all 53 trophies, including the coveted Platinum, is a rewarding pursuit. They celebrate chapter milestones, achievements like maxing Arkride Solutions’ rank, and involvement in all sorts of minigames, ensuring a fulfilling journey for trophy hunters.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II masterfully blends dynamic action combat with strategic turn-based play. Its story grips from start to finish, with more than a few storyline surprises to keep you engaged. Since this is a direct sequel, starting with the original game is best for a full narrative grasp. Players can look forward to this adventure launching on PlayStation 5 on February 14 for $59.99.

Disclaimer: This review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II was conducted based on PlayStation access provided by NIS America.